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Founder stories

The stories behind
the founders.

Conversations with Iranian founders building companies, taking risks and creating impact around the world.

I passionately believe that anyone can succeed at whatever they want to, if they put their heart and soul into it.
Featured story

Lord David Alliance: The Iranian Business Legend Who Arrived with £14 and Built a British Empire

Born in Iran and shaped by Tehran’s textile bazaar, David Alliance arrived in Manchester at 18 and built one of Britain’s most influential textile businesses. His journey eventually earned him a place in the House of Lords and a lasting legacy in Manchester.

Lord David Alliance

Lord David Alliance

Co-founder and former Chairman, Coats Viyella, Coats Viyella

Coats Viyella
Manchester, UKTextiles & Manufacturing
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  • CleanTech / EnergyTech

    Somayeh Taheri: The Woman Rewiring Britain’s Energy Market

    Combining academic research, technology and a determination to challenge an outdated system, Somayeh Taheri built UrbanChain—one of Britain’s fastest-growing clean-technology companies. Her mission is ambitious: to create a fairer and more transparent energy market that connects renewable generators directly with consumers.

    Dr Somayeh Taheri

    Dr Somayeh Taheri

    Co-founder and CEO, UrbanChain

    20 Sept 20265 min read
  • HealthTech / Artificial Intelligence

    Ali Parsa: The Iranian Visionary Who Dared to Reinvent Healthcare

    After fleeing Iran as a teenager, Ali Parsa rebuilt his life in Britain and created Babylon Health, one of the UK’s most ambitious digital-health companies. Its spectacular rise and eventual collapse became a powerful lesson in ambition, execution and starting again.

    Ali Parsa

    Ali Parsa

    founder and CEO, Q, powered by Quadrivia

    20 Sept 20265 min read
  • MediaTech

    From One Suitcase to a Landmark TSX IPO: Shahrzad Rafati

    At 17, Shahrzad Rafati moved alone from Tehran to Vancouver with one suitcase, limited English and no computer experience. She went on to found BBTV, turning a major online-video copyright challenge into a global media-technology business.

    Shahrzad Rafati

    Shahrzad Rafati

    Founder & CEO, RHEI — formerly BroadbandTV/BBTV

    18 Sept 20265 min read

These stories are a glimpse of what happens when Iranian talent and ambition meet a world of opportunity.

Global Iranian Startup Community

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